Officers responding to the scene said, "She was taken to the hospital, but sadly nothing could be done to save her and she died a short time later." The victim was an eight-year-old girl and she had been stabbed multiple times by her attacker.

The assailant behind the vicious attack is a 54-year-old man who was also taken to the hospital where he was treated for a stab wound to the stomach.

Detective Inspector Jim Colclough of the homicide unit said, "We are treating this as a domestic incident and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the child's death.

Inspector Colclough went on to say, "Our family liaison team are supporting the family of the little girl, who are naturally devastated by her death. Our thoughts remain with them."